Vancouver, Victoria, and Vancouver Island

The elegant capital of British Columbia couldn’t be more different from its much larger neighbor, Vancouver. Well-preserved buildings line the streets. Totem poles sprout from shady parks. Restored historical areas house trendy shops, offices, and exotic restaurants.

Downtown Vancouver

Downtown Victoria

Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver

Stanley Park

Vancouver Island

Victoria

Downtown Victoria

Southwestern British Columbia

Exploring southwestern BC is like taking three very different vacations. The Sunshine Coast spreads out to the north, attracting families, scuba divers, and sun-loving Canadians. The Sea to Sky Highway leads to Whistler, a hip, outdoorsy resort town of epic proportions.

Southwestern British Columbia

Southern Gulf Islands

Nanaimo

Pacific Rim National Park

West Coast Trail

Tofino

Campbell River

Port Hardy

Whistler

The Sunshine Coast

Powell River

Hope and Vicinity

Okanagan Valley

Around 180 kilometers (112 miles) from end to end, the gorgeous Okanagan Valley is dotted with orchards and wineries, the latter a major attraction. But if the only thing you know about wine is that you like it, no worries—wine -tasting in the Okanagan Valley is a completely unsnobby affair.

Okanagan Valley

Osoyoos

Penicton

Kelowna

Downtown Kelowna

Vernon and Vicinity

The Kootenays

Named for its original inhabitants, the Kootenay region is monotonous—in an overwhelmingly beautiful, mountain-and-lakes kind of way. Alpine snowfields feed mighty rivers and massive lakes, creating a recreational playground for anglers, canoeists, and kayakers.

The Kootenays

Castlegar

Nelson

Cranbrook

Fernie

Kimberley

Canadian Rockies

Welcome to the Canadian Rockies, a vast wilderness where wildlife is always abundant and hiking trails always scenic. The region is at its most breathtaking at Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park, while adjacent Kootenay National Park offers up more magnificent Canadian wilds, along with hot springs.

Canadian Rockies

Radium Hot Springs

Kootenay National Park

Yoho National Park

Golden

Central British Columbia

Cutting a swath across the province, the central region of British Columbia is extremely diverse. To the east, a series of glaciated mountain ranges are protected by Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks, which offer accessible adventure.

Central British Columbia

Revelstoke

Kamloops

Mount Robson Provincial Park

Williams Lake

Quesnel

Northern British Columbia

Northern BC is a long way from anywhere else. You won’t see famous attractions. Instead, you’ll find lakes and forest and lots of both. Small towns provide excellent access to outdoor activities, as well as a little bit of pioneering history. The coastline is mostly inaccessible, but where highways push down to the ocean, Prince Rupert and Stewart offer scenic rewards.

Northern British Columbia

Prince George

Downtown Prince George

Smithers

Terrace

Prince Rupert

Downtown Prince Rupert

Haida Gwaii

Dawson Creek

The Yukon

Linked to British Columbia by the Alaska Highway, the Yukon is a continuation of the forested wilderness. Many visitors pass right through on their way to Alaska, but it’s worth lingering to explore the natural wonders of Kluane National Park, the modern frontier delights of Whitehorse, and the world’s most famous Gold Rush town, Dawson City.